Budget airline fined £12,700

5:03pm Saturday 10th May 2008

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XL AIRWAYS has topped a list of airlines responsible for disturbing the peace of residents in Knutsford and Mobberley.

The budget carrier was fined £12,700 by Manchester Airport for breaking noise limits 20 times in the past year.

In second place was Air China - a cargo airline - which was fined £10,350 for nine night noise infringements.

PIA, which was the worst offender in each of the previous seven years, was banned from flying its noisiest planes into and out of Manchester in March last year.

It did not appear in this year's list.

Yesterday Russell Craig, head of communications at Manchester Airport, said XL would not be flying its noisy 747-300 planes much longer.

"XL Airways are at the top of the table but they have told us to anticipate them flying new aircraft this year," he said.

"So it is unlikely that the planes that were fined this year will be around any more." Air China plan to reschedule a flight earlier to avoid departures being delayed into the night. Mr Craig said the airlines were taking notice of the fines, which are put towards community projects in the Knutsford area.

The total amount levied fell by £4,000, to £38,100, and only XL and Air China broke noise limits more than once.

But airport campaigner Jeff Gazzard, who lives in Delmar Road, said the airlines were only paying lip service to the system.

"XL have decided they can afford to pay it and they can afford to fly that plane," he said.

"After the first two or three times there is a pattern and you know it is going to be noisy so why doesn't the airport just ban them?

"XL want to sell seats as cheaply as possible and the rules mean they pay less in fines than the price of a couple of seats."

XL Airways was unavailable for comment.

The Knutsford Guardian could also not contact Air China.

"We don't have a press office," said an employee. "I don't think there is anyone you can talk to."